By Braden Chalker
A few former fringe players in the Mexico national team setup will get their chance to perform at one of the biggest stages this summer in Copa America 2024.
There's a been an 'out with the old and in with the new' theme leading up to Copa America this summer in the El Tri squad. Mexico boss Jaime 'Jimmy' Lozano left out previous key figures in his 31-player preliminary squad like Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa, Jesus Gallardo and Henry Martin.
Lozano has chosen to gamble on some younger, fresher faces like Santiago Gimenez and Angel Malagon -- both of which have had chances here and there with Mexico but will now fully get to show what they can do when they kick-off their group stage campaign in late June.
Here's how the CONCACAF giants could lineup at Copa America 2024.
Mexico's Predicted Copa America Starting XI ( 4-3-3 )
GK: Angel Malagon - Plenty of eyes will be on the 27-year-old who has managed just four appearances for Mexico since making his debut back in 2021.
RB: Jorge Sanchez - The former Club America figure will look to recapture the same form that earned him a move to Dutch giants Ajax a couple of summers ago after an average season on loan at Porto.
CB: Cesar Montes - Montes is all set to lead the El Tri backline as he nears 50 appearances for on the international stage for his country.
CB: Johan Vasquez - After a busy season with Genoa in the Italian Serie A, Vasquez continues to pick up more experience and partners Montes in the center of defense.
LB: Gerardo Arteaga - The 25-year-old will hope to make the left-back position his with Jesus Gallardo not featuring in Lozano's squad.
CM: Erick Sanchez - Sanchez could be the creative spark in the middle of the park for Mexico, pulling the strings from the midfield.
CM: Edson Alvarez - The West Ham United midfielder will more than likely be tasted with protecting Mexico's backline while Sanchez and Chavez venture up the pitch.
CM: Luis Chavez - Fresh off his first season with Dynamo Moscow, Chavez completes the midfield trio alongside Alvarez and Sanchez.
RW: Uriel Antuna - Antuna starts on the right-wing looking to make an impact in the final third.
ST: Santiago Gimenez - With Henry Martin not selected in Lozano's squad, Gimenez will likely get the nod up front over Julian Quinones after bagging 23 goals in the Eredivisie last term.
LW: Alexis Vega - The ex-Chivas de Guadalajara player remains a strong option for Lozano to deploy on the left-wing who could link-up nicely with Gimenez.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Predicting Mexico's Copa America Starting Lineup.
